E85 DSC dsc sensor failing

[clarkitect]

Bought the car with a dash full of warning lights, tracking most of them down to a bad yaw rate sensor.




Replaced the sensor, repaired airbag harness and the lights went out. Well except for the EPS but that’s a story for another thread.





Driving the other day red tire light came on, now all lights are back on with the 5E38 error for yaw sensor electrically defective.

Battery is new, 13.7 volts charging. Any thoughts what could be causing the sensor to fail?

[dworthy]

Did you get a used Yaw sensor, or a new one? How does the connection look, nice and clean?

Are you using INPA or ISTA to read the codes?

[clarkitect]

Did you get a used Yaw sensor, or a new one? How does the connection look, nice and clean?

Are you using INPA or ISTA to read the codes?

It was a used one. Looked brand new but that was just the outside. Didn’t look like it ever even got wet. Connection SEEMS ok. I will try cleaning it up anyway, why didn’t I think of that?



Using INPA to read and reset the codes. Code will reset but clicks right back on after a few seconds.

[clarkitect]

Sprayed some Wurth oxidation solvent and CRC electronic cleaner into the connector and no change. Wiggled connector to hopefully ensure good contact.Will have to better test each contact later today, but when I unplug the connector I get a CAN bus communication error, plug it in and get the yaw sensor electronic failure message. I suppose I could take it apart and check for cold solder joints,etc. But the car had no errors for a while after changing the sensor, this cropped up after a week or so. May just find another sensor and try it out. Hate to ruin another one.

Seems like the sensor only connects to the main module. Maybe that needs to be replaced.

[bmwdirtracer]

Clean both sides of the plug at the ABS/DSC module?

[clarkitect]

Clean both sides of the plug at the ABS/DSC module?

Is that located in the E-Box under the hood? Wish I could figure out the WDS.

Edit: looks like it is on the ABS pump. Will check that.

[bmwdirtracer]

Yes, module is essentially part of the hydraulic unit.

I checked today, after reading your post. I happen to have a known-good Yaw sensor with that part number, in my spares box. If you want to PM me with your address, I will mail it to you. If it works for you, you can pay me postage and whatever the other used one cost you. If not, mail it back.

But try cleaning that plug first.

[clarkitect]

Yes, module is essentially part of the hydraulic unit.

I checked today, after reading your post. I happen to have a known-good Yaw sensor with that part number, in my spares box. If you want to PM me with your address, I will mail it to you. If it works for you, you can pay me postage and whatever the other used one cost you. If not, mail it back.

But try cleaning that plug first.

I cleaned it up. No dice! And actually they both looked spotless. Nothing wrong that I could see.


Seems to be a bad sensor but the fact the replacement failed. Could be bad part. Could be car does something to make it fail. Will PM ya, thanks!

[bmwdirtracer]

I'll try to get it out to you tomorrow. I'm not sure how crazy the day may be until I get to work.

[clarkitect]

I'll try to get it out to you tomorrow. I'm not sure how crazy the day may be until I get to work.

Thanks a lot for sending the sensor, it did indeed resolve the issue. My only question is what caused the original replacement to fail? Was the sensor on its way out to begin with? Did something with the power supply to the sensor from the DSC module cause it to fail? I suppose that is three questions, but for now I guess i will run it and see what happens. If it fails again I will know there has to be something else going on.

I really appreciate all the help you have offered on this and other issues in the past.

[dworthy]

With used parts, you never know what you are getting. If that car had been in an accident, there's always the possibility that it was damaged when you got it, thus it failed right away.

[clarkitect]

With used parts, you never know what you are getting. If that car had been in an accident, there's always the possibility that it was damaged when you got it, thus it failed right away.

Thanks D. Hopefully that’s the case here. Time will tell and I’m sure I’ll chime back in if it happens again. On the bright side I can get the seat out in less than 5 mins now lol.

[bmwdirtracer]

Glad to have been of help!